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Multiple Choice

What result occurs when the SRY gene is absent in a typically male XY individual?

The absence of the SRY gene in a typically male XY individual leads to the development of female characteristics. The SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome, is crucial for the initiation of male sex determination. It triggers the formation of testes, which then produce male hormones such as testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone. Without the SRY gene, there are no signals for the development of male reproductive structures, and the default developmental pathway is female. In this scenario, the individual would develop female reproductive anatomy because the absence of male hormones allows the development of structures such as ovaries and fallopian tubes. This results in a phenotype aligned with typical female characteristics, despite having an XY chromosomal configuration. This situation may also lead to intersex conditions depending on other genetic and hormonal factors, but the primary outcome remains the development of female characteristics due to the lack of SRY gene function.

The absence of the SRY gene in a typically male XY individual leads to the development of female characteristics. The SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome, is crucial for the initiation of male sex determination. It triggers the formation of testes, which then produce male hormones such as testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone. Without the SRY gene, there are no signals for the development of male reproductive structures, and the default developmental pathway is female.

In this scenario, the individual would develop female reproductive anatomy because the absence of male hormones allows the development of structures such as ovaries and fallopian tubes. This results in a phenotype aligned with typical female characteristics, despite having an XY chromosomal configuration. This situation may also lead to intersex conditions depending on other genetic and hormonal factors, but the primary outcome remains the development of female characteristics due to the lack of SRY gene function.